Happy Holidays for Seniors

Tips from a Professional Home Companion on Creating Safe and Inclusive Christmas and Holiday Events.

The holiday season is a time for connection, celebration, and joy. Yet, for older adults and people with disabilities, the season can also bring unique challenges.

Busy schedules, travel, and family gatherings may feel overwhelming, and some traditions may need adapting to accommodate changing needs.

Below find some useful tips from a professional home companion on ensuring a holiday season that is safe, joyful, inclusive, and full of meaningful moments.  

Ensuring Safety During Holiday Activities

Safety is often a top priority during the holidays, especially when it comes to decorations, gatherings, and meal preparations. Home companions can assist with:

 

Setting Up Decorations Safely:

• Ensure that decorations don’t create tripping hazards

• Ensure any lights are safely positioned. Battery powered lights that are on a timer are a good option. 

• Use flameless candles to reduce fire risk. 

 

Meal Preparation:

• Ensure safe food handling and storage. For example, label foods clearly with dates and ensure foods are put away in a timely manner.

• Support dietary needs and food safety by helping with meal planning and preparation. 

• Ensure any allergies or medical requirements are considered

Mobility Assistance:

• Clear pathways and arrange furniture to accommodate mobility aids like wheelchairs or walking frames.

With a little preparation families can focus on enjoying their time together while knowing their loved ones are safe.

Managing Emotions and Stress

The holidays can be an emotional time, filled with both joy and nostalgia. For older adults and their families, these emotions may sometimes feel overwhelming. Tips from a professional home companion in managing emotions and stress and creating happy holidays for seniors include: 

• Offer a Calm Presence: Be a steady, reassuring presence for moments when emotions run high.

• Create Quiet Spaces: Set aside a comfortable area where family members can rest or reflect away from the hustle and bustle.

• Facilitate Communication: Help family members navigate conversations, ensuring that everyone feels heard and understood.

This thoughtful support allows families to navigate the emotional complexities of the season with grace.

Road Trips and Outings

Whether it’s visiting relatives, enjoying festive displays, or taking a short holiday trip, traveling can be a significant part of the season. Find a few tips from a professional companion on how to make travel more manageable:

• Plan Ahead: Assist with packing essentials like medications, mobility aids, snacks, and comfortable clothing.

• Provide Support on the Go: This includes providing help with navigation, managing schedules, and ensuring accessibility at destinations.

• Monitor Comfort and Safety: Ensure that family members are hydrated, rested, and comfortable throughout the journey.  Understand that your family member may need extra help in navigating unfamiliar environments.

With a little planning holiday outings become enjoyable adventures rather than stressful challenges.

Bringing Joy Through Traditions, Music, and Meals

The heart of the holidays often lies in cherished traditions, but as our family members experiencing age-related changes, illness or disability, some traditions may need some adjusting.  Take some time to consider how you can bring these traditions to life in ways that meet your family member’s new needs:

Revive Favorite Activities: From baking cookies to decorating a tree, creating opportunities for family to participate in traditions that spark joy and evoke fond memories.

Use Music to Create Atmosphere: Playing holiday music or joining in some holiday karaoke can be a simple but powerful way to connect.

Watch Holiday Movies together: be sure to use closed captions for those hard of hearing or descriptive audio for those with vision impairment.

Host Inclusive Gatherings: Considering hosting small, accessible gatherings where everyone feels welcome and included.  Understand that your family members may have new needs and preferences that take a little extra planning.  This might include afternoon rather than evening events, a smaller, more manageable guest list, and foods that are easier to eat and digest.

Create Fun for Everyone: play board games, jigsaw puzzles, scrabble, or create or invite other family members to help with creating games and activities that everyone can participate in. You can try holiday bingo, balloon volleyball, candy cane crane/fishing, cotton ball scoop game. Find more party games suitable for seniors here or find some fun and creative games on YouTube.

These efforts ensure that the season remains meaningful and joyful for all.

Happy Holidays for Seniors - Holiday Support

The holidays are about coming together, celebrating traditions, and creating lasting memories. For families with older adults or loved ones with disabilities, a home companion can offer the support needed to make the season both joyful and stress-free.

By focusing on safety, emotional well-being, and the simple joys of the season, home companions help create an environment where everyone can truly enjoy this special time.

If you’re looking for ways to enhance your family’s holiday experience this year, consider the support of a dedicated home companion. They’re here to help make every moment count.

This is where a compassionate home companion can make all the difference, helping to create a holiday experience that is safe, comfortable, and filled with meaningful moments.